Reform Jewish Leader Condemns Federal Takeover of Law Enforcement

August 20, 2025 - In response to President Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops to Washington D.C. and attempted takeover of the city’s police department, Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, released the following statement: 

“We are deeply concerned by President Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops to Washington D.C. and attempted takeover of the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department. Despite the fact that violent crime in Washington D.C. is at a 30-year low, President Trump falsely claimed the city is experiencing a ‘crime emergency’ to justify an unprecedented federal assumption of local law enforcement. By blaming the supposed crisis on an ‘enemy invasion,’ inner city youth, and people experiencing homelessness, President Trump’s announcement continues a long pattern of scapegoating and dehumanizing immigrants and other vulnerable communities.

President Trump’s actions pose serious threats to public safety in Washington D.C. National Guard members are untrained in law enforcement and their deployment in this context may actually pose a greater threat to the safety of all Washington D.C. residents and visitors. We are especially alarmed by reports that National Guard servicemembers patrolling the city may be armed. In addition, immigrants, communities of Color, and people experiencing homelessness are at unique risk, as indicated by their numerous roundups and arrests in the last week.

This order, which has already drawn opposition from a federal judge adjudicating a challenge to the effort, undermines longstanding democratic norms, violates local autonomy, and threatens rule of law nationwide. The actions in DC come on the heels of other impositions of executive power, including deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles earlier this summer. President Trump has also indicated a desire to take over law enforcement in other cities across the United States. Our commitment to the rule of law is guided by Jewish text and tradition, including the words of Leviticus 19:15: “You shall not render an unfair decision: do not favor the poor or show deference to the rich; judge your kin fairly.”

We urge President Trump to recall the National Guard and return full control of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department to local authorities. We also call on Congress to speak up in strong opposition to this unprecedented federal overreach and oppose any request by President Trump to extend federal control of local law enforcement.”